Hugh West - Studio Potter - Photographer

Winter Sunshine

Hugh West — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:06:00 +0100

This morning it was -11°.Looking at these two photgraphs you would never guess it

Winter work

Hugh West — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:09:00 +0100

These teabowls are part of a service ordered last year. Plates will follow.

New glazes, new ideas for 2012. Working flat-out in these cold winter months.

Christmas Exhibition At The Ceramic Center La Borne

Hugh West — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:40:00 +0100

Well, I have certainly been busy this Autumn. Yet another exhibition, this time with a local artist, Dudley Bennett.

Thirty ceramists, members of the Association here in La Borne, have collaborated with their chosen artists to create new works together. The exhibition will run from 10th December to 8th January and should be an exciting one.

Dudley and I have been working with porcelain and under-glaze colours to produce a set of 6 square dishes. These have been been decorated in Dudley's own unique painterly style. The delicate bowls echo the motif and my own distinctive black slip borders.

Here's a preview.

New For Christmas

Hugh West — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:10:00 +0100

Sophie made these new Christmas gift lines in porcelain: two bowls on a decorated platter 23cms long.

Available from our gallery. 25 Euros.

How's that for a great advert? She has been with us for only 2 months !

Book of photographs

Hugh West — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:19:00 +0100

In time for my 40th anniversary exhibition, we have published a book of Christine's photographs on the theme of my work.

Copies are available from us for 25€ plus P&P. That's ₤21.50 or $34.

You Tube

Hugh West — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:30:00 +0100

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbqKYbbvi_0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpSUQh0NaUw

You might like to click on the above links.

Sorry but we have to take the comments box out again. Guess why ? You got it in one, not enough work around for some people.

Exhibition 40 yrs - opening this weekend

Hugh West — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 10:51:00 +0100

In 1968, I began studying as a potter at Herefordshire School of Art & Design. This is my very first attempt at a coiled vase, a gift I took home to my mother. The fact that it has survived is a triumph of her faith in me over its ugliness!

I wish she could be here to see my 40th anniversary exhibition here in La Borne. The show opens on 5th November and will run until 30th.

The black and white photographs are the work of Christine West with four by Joe Kent.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in many ways over the last 40 years since I opened my first pottery in Cornwall at the age of 21.

Click on the small pics

Exhibition 40 yrs

Hugh West — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:05:00 +0200

A picture gallery of the exhibition will be on this site on Friday 4 th November for those who may not be able to come to our gallery.

If you wish further information then please contact us .

Nous présenterons sur ce site le vendredi 4 novembre une sélection d'images de l'exposition 40 Ans de Poterie pour ceux de nos amis et clients qui n'auront pas la possibilité de nous rendre visite.

Pour tous renseignements, contactez-nous SVP.

Exhibition

Hugh West — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:30:00 +0200

I am celebrating 40 years of pottery this year.

You are invited to an exhibition in my gallery in La Borne from 5th to 30th November.

I'll be showing my latest work as well as archive pieces. Christine has taken the photographs which will be on show.

The gallery will be open every day of the week from 10-1.30 and from 2-6.30pm.

We'd love to see you there.

Click on the pic!

Cantal

Hugh West — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:27:00 +0200

This has been one of the most strenuous holidays of recent years. Fortunately, it only lasted 2 days! However, it was one of the most enjoyable.

I have very little text to add but this is my version of our journey. Click on Christine's blog for more information.

oblong

Hugh West — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 22:21:00 +0200

Today's firing was a little on the disappointing side. I am not sure in which direction to go: porcelain ....... stoneware?

I like the strong, solid effects I get with stoneware, as shown here. But also the fineness of porcelain that always gives me heartache - except when it works and then it's brilliant.

If I go back to stoneware in tandem with porcelain this represents a huge investment.

And then...

Hugh West — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:26:00 +0200

The other morning I went to see how our visitor was doing and got a big surprise. And then I heard a chuckle. It was coming from my neighbour, Edmond, who has a lively sense of humour.

I am trying to think of a suitable revenge, especially as all his grandchildren were cackling as they watched us over the wall.

Visitor from the deep

Hugh West — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:03:00 +0200

Being a McNeil, Nessie and Loch Ness are part of my Scottish heritage. I believe I once saw our monster although I had taken a wee dram of the McCallum.

Talking of which, the same sort of image springs to mind each time I pass our little pond - without benefit of the dram - and am startled by movement on the surface of the water. Today I decided to put my Girl Guides training into action and sneak up to our mini loch and try to catch sight of whatever is lurking therein.

If I am approached by The Press, I am prepared to sell!

The old way

Hugh West — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:14:00 +0200

During France's Heritage weekend (Les Journées du Patrimoine), Dominique Garet gave a demonstration of throwing the old way, the method used by La Borne potters of the 19th century.

In former times, the wheel would be sunk below floor level, next to a window for light. It was powered by pushing the bars of the wheel with a long strong stick. The potter sat down to throw small pots but large jars and crocks, some as tall as a metre high, were thrown standing up.

I am sure production potters, if they still used this method, would spend a great deal of time with an osteopath!

click on the pics

Progress

Hugh West — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:02:00 +0200

Sophie should be proud of her progress - her first pots, after two weeks with us, are on sale in the pottery.

Sophie takes over

Hugh West — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 19:45:00 +0200

This has been the year of the apple. Tons of them.

Sophie decided to use the heat from the kiln to try to dry some apple rings threaded on bamboo canes. A firing took place last Friday so the kiln is still around 50 degrees.

We'll see what happens tomorrow!

Delicious and crisp - success! The rings were packed in white paper bags to be kept for winter in a cool dry place (on top of a cupboard).

Comments box

Hugh West — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 11:31:00 +0200

Well, that didn't last long! Comments boxes have been removed from my blog since this morning when I found 100s of meaningless entries with Greek e-mail addresses.

It's a shame that Greece is in dire financial straits. Maybe some of the population would be better employed doing something constructive with their time!

A good beginning

Hugh West — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:23:00 +0200

The best way to begin training in ceramics is to learn to throw a cylinder and then to make a board full, all the same size. This is the way I was taught over 40 years ago and it has served me well.

Sophie surprised me by controlling the clay when throwing 22 cylinders on her first day. There were a few faults. These were discussed and corrected so that the next day the same project produced pots which were near enough perfect. It is important that mistakes should be ironed out early since it is so difficult later to get out of bad habits.

Her personal preference is for pots without handles and she was reluctant to tackle the daunting task of handling. She was shown the method I use where the handle is pulled directly off the pot - not the easiest way - and after a while resigned herself to improving each handle. She asked me to choose some music while she worked.

Result!

New look workshop finished

Hugh West — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:49:00 +0200

I have just taken delivery of a brand new Shimpo RK3E wheel, rather than another Roderveld. My worshop is complete.

Now I can announce that I have finally taken on an apprentice who will start work at the beginning of September. I hope that Sophie, when she is fully trained, will be an asset to the workshop. She already shows promise.

During the 1970s I had the pleasure of training a young Chris Hawkins who went on to become a very successful and talented potter. If Sophie shows the same dedication and talent as Chris, we are on to a winner!

A spanking new wheel is a good way to begin an apprenticeship.

New look workshop

Hugh West — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 23:36:00 +0200

For 11 years I have made do with wobbly seats and unstable surfaces in my workshop. This week I stripped out my rickety throwing benches and prepared for an invasion.

Dan and Brian came to reconstruct the area. I thought that they would simply use bigger screws and replace my bits of wood and wire. However, they had other plans. My only job was to stand and admire the speed and skill with which they carried out a first class operation. To me, a non-starter when it comes to carpentry and the like, it seemed like surgery.

They actually used a laser beam - accuracy to the millimetre! The benches are solid oak and the supports are bolted to the brick floor.

Two throwing bays have been installed.

Between them I have a banding wheel on a fixed pillar for handling, altering or just playing with pots. The empty space will be filled by a second wheel next week.

As soon as Dan and Brian had packed up and gone I was able to throw a few pots in perfect comfort.

The pug mill, which used to stand where the second wheel will be, is now housed under the slab roller. I never use both at the same time so much space has been saved. When I need to pug clay, I simply lift the apron of the roller. Both work perfectly well in their new positions.

I would never have believed, when I first set up my workshop 11 years ago, that I would be able to fit all my machinery into 25 sq metres and still have room for a sink, racking, wedging and work tables and a damp cupboard.

Thank you for making this splendid atelier possible, Dan and Brian. You have worked miracles. Sorry I laughed at one of the posts being 2 mm out!

Wow!